A.G. Smith, mighty man, build a boat that he couldn't understand. Name it a name of god in a tin, middle of the sea, He bowled it in - Blind Willie Johnson, God Moves On The Water
Here's a recent simplified attempt Fred McDowell's Germany Blues in vestapol. Actually I don't exactly know whether it was mistitled as that on the CD or whether Germany even refers to the country, but I love the song and the lyrics and the way he weaves through the song - I'm wondering if anyone recognizes the sources for those - that pawn lyric appears in a 1931 version of Leroy Carr's "New How Long Part 2", almost word for word ? Here's the whole lyrics of the Mcdowell.
Lord I'm going away baby, don't you want to go Lord I'm going away baby, don't you want to go Lord Im going somewhere babe, I ain't never been before
Lord I see my baby way out on that Frisco Line Lord I see my baby way out on that Frisco Line It ain't but the one thing, honey ever grieved my mind
Lord I'm going by the pawn shop put my watch in pawn Sez I'm going by the pawn shop put my watch in pawn I don't want nobody tell me how long my baby been gone Long my baby been... Long my baby been... Long my baby been gone...
Lord I know you going to miss me, baby when I'm gone I know you going to miss me, baby when I'm gone
« Last Edit: January 09, 2018, 09:40:14 AM by harriet »
Thanks alot John! I'm kind of focusing on timing the lyrics so as with the McDowell I studied with you there are more careful variations to the lick which he was able to present and you hardly notice until you parse the song -I hope I will be able to do more of that in future attempts without it sounding academic. Baby steps. And hopefully interestingly on the lyric topic I found "It ain't but the one thing that ever grieved my mind" noted in a version of Salty Dog from the 20's.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2018, 10:17:36 AM by harriet »
Well done, Harriet. Your playing and singing are spot on--"right in the pocket," as John says.
I believe "Germany" might be a variation of German or perhaps Germantown. IIRC, this was discussed somewhere before.
Sorry for the delay getting to your song, but I'm finally starting to get caught up--which in my case means not falling behind as fast (for now, at least ).
There's a thread at Mudcat that discusses this. One suggestion is that it refers to Germantown, Tennessee which is close to Memphis. Given that Gus Cannon was active in and around Memphis, the mention of a town close by in the song lyrics is a strong possibility, even if it was mispronounced.
A second interpretation is that it referred to Germany the country,referring to it after coming back from a successful tour and that was a stop. He also he starts Diving Duck Blues with reference to Germany as "I got a girl in Germany,Lord, I got three in Spain." On this I checked and the record "My Home is in the Delta" and the American Folk Blues Festival tour were about the same year.
IMHO there's a case for either interpretation - I'm assuming they asked him the title and he said "Germany Blues" but if he explained it, the explanation is lost.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2018, 04:55:57 PM by harriet »